Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Gengle.
Brittany, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started The Collected Toad from a feeling I’ve carried for a long time. Some of my earliest memories are wandering antique stores and spending time at my grandpa’s cottage—catching toads, exploring, and being surrounded by spaces that felt textured, layered, lived-in, and a little bit magical.
As an adult, I found myself drawn back to that same feeling. I began thrifting and collecting pieces that felt nostalgic and full of character—items that looked like they had already lived a life before landing in mine. What started as something personal slowly became more intentional. I realized I wasn’t just collecting things—I was curating a way of living that feels curious and collected rather than mainstream.
At the same time, I’ve spent the past 15 years building a career in HR leadership. It’s work I’ve taken seriously and still value, but it’s also work that carries a significant emotional weight. Supporting people through their hardest moments, often behind the scenes, can be both meaningful and exhausting. Over time, I started to feel disconnected from the creative part of myself—the part that had always been there but didn’t have space to grow.
The Collected Toad became a way to reconnect with that. It’s where I get to build something of my own, lean into creativity, and create beauty out of pieces that might otherwise be overlooked.
But it’s also grown into something bigger than just my story. I’ve realized there are so many people—especially women and moms—who feel that same pull toward creativity but don’t have a clear or low-risk way to pursue it. My long-term vision is to create a space in the community where multiple creators can come together—where they can have a storefront presence, test and grow their ideas, and build something meaningful without having to risk everything to do it.
I’m passionate about building a destination that feels nostalgic and inspiring, but also practical—a place where creative work is valued, supported, and can be profitable. A space where more than one person can succeed at the same time.
Today, I’m building this business alongside my full-time career and raising my kids. It’s still evolving—very much piece by piece—but it’s grounded in something bigger than just selling vintage. It’s about creating a home, a business, and eventually a community space that feels personal, intentional, and full of life.
At its core, The Collected Toad is about remembering that the parts of you that get set aside for practicality don’t disappear—they’re still there, waiting to be brought back to life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Most days, it feels like I’m building this in the margins of everything else. I have a demanding full-time job, two kids with full lives of their own, and a household to keep running—so this business gets built early in the morning, late at night, or in whatever small pockets of time I can find.
There’s also been a lot of noise to navigate. Some people have been incredibly supportive, and others have asked the hard questions—“How will you replace your income?” “What if it doesn’t work?” Those thoughts can creep in, especially when you’re already stretched thin. At the same time, I’ve had people say, “It’s about time,” and that’s stayed with me just as much.
If I’m being honest, I’m tired a lot. I’m not doing this perfectly. I’m still figuring out how to take care of myself while trying to build something—eating well, exercising, even just slowing down enough to be present. Some days I get it right, and some days I don’t.
But I keep coming back to why I started. This is about building something that feels like me, and creating a life that has space for both responsibility and creativity. I believe in timing, and I’ve learned that not everything is meant to work right away. Some of the “no’s” have actually helped shape what this is becoming.
I’ve also realized I can’t do it all alone. Knowing my strengths, asking for help, and leaning on people who are better than me in certain areas has been a huge part of making this possible. I have an incredible support system in my mom and my partner, and I wouldn’t be here without them.
At the end of the day, this isn’t a perfect or fast process. It’s messy and it’s real—but it’s being built intentionally, piece by piece, in the middle of real life. And I think that’s what makes it meaningful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At its core, what I do is curate vintage and antique home pieces that feel intentional, layered, and full of character. I source items that bring a sense of nostalgia and warmth into a space—pieces that feel like they’ve lived a life before landing in yours.
I’m very selective with what I choose. Not everything makes the cut. I look for pieces that feel personal and a little unexpected—things that become conversation starters or add depth to a home in a way that mass-produced decor can’t.
What sets my work apart is the perspective behind it. This isn’t about trends or perfectly styled spaces—it’s about creating homes that feel collected over time. I’m drawn to pieces that evoke a feeling, not just fill a space.
As the business grows, it’s also expanding beyond just the pieces themselves. I’m working toward creating a physical space that feels like a destination—part retail, part gathering place. The vision is to host small to mid-size events, workshops, and community gatherings that bring people together around creativity, nostalgia, and home.
Alongside that, I’m building services around helping others create that same feeling in their own spaces—through organizing, decluttering, and styling homes in a way that feels personal and intentional, not overwhelming or trend-driven.
I’m also passionate about creating opportunities for other creatives—eventually building a space where multiple people can share, sell, and grow their own work in a way that feels accessible and sustainable.
What I’m most proud of so far is that I’ve started—and that I’m building something that reflects who I am. It’s not perfect and it’s not finished, but it’s real, and it’s being built with intention every step of the way.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m building this in real time—alongside a full-time career, raising my kids, and everything else that comes with a full life. It’s not perfect, and it’s not easy, but it’s meaningful.
“You don’t have to have everything figured out to start.”
If there’s something you feel pulled toward, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You don’t have to risk everything to explore it—you can start small and build it in a way that fits your life.
“I think a lot of women in corporate have more agency than they realize.”
We get used to structure and waiting for the right time or permission—but you don’t need permission to start something that’s yours.
“You don’t have to become someone new—you just have to come back to who you’ve always been.”
I also really believe in community and creating more spaces where people can try things, share their work, and build something of their own.
“There’s room for more than one person to succeed.”
For me, this has been about reconnecting with a part of myself I hadn’t made space for—and trusting that it’s not too late to build something meaningful from it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://the-collected-toad.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectedtoad
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586769872905
Image Credits
Paige Annette Photography
